Package and like binding mechanism



Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEESMAN PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 29 1951 Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEESMAN PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 29 1951 Jan. 10, 1956 J cH s 2,730,036

PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q lab Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEESMAN 2,730,036

PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Fi led May 29, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEESMAN 2,730,036

PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 J. J. CHEESMAN PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Jan. 10, 1956 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 29, 1951 Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEES MAN 2,730,036

PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 I NVEN TOR ATTORNEYJ Jan. 10, 1956 J CHEESMAN 2,730,036

PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 A JW W Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEESIVIAN 2,730,036

PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 Jan. 10, 1956 J. J. CHEESMAN PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM ll Sheets-Sheet 11 INVE/V r01? United States Patent 2,730,036 PACKAGE AND LIKE BINDING MECHANISM John James Cheesman, Gerrards Cross, England, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to General Strapping Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 29, 1951, Serial No. 228,830

Claims priority, application Great Britain July 5, 1950 25 Claims. (Cl. 100-27) This invention is concerned with mechanism for tying packages or the like with flexible binding material, of the type essentially comprising a connecting device and on the near side thereof a reversible feed, a holding gripper and severing means, operable on the flexible material in the binding plane so that the material, having been fed out from a supply through the connecting device for in sertion, after training to form a loop around the package or the like, into the gripper with the free end of the material projecting into the connecting device, is held by closing the gripper, the material being next drawn in and the loop closed onto the package or the like by reversing the feed, following which the parts of the material within the connecting device are joined together by actuating the latter with separation of the looped part of the material from the supply by actuating the severing means and the tied package or the like is released by reopening the gripper.

For the purpose of improving and simplifying the manual control of a mechanism of this type'the invention has for its main object the provision of a manually operable device such as a handle, pedal, or other like controller whereby at least one step of the operational cycle of the mechanism is brought under direct control of the operator, which manually operable device (herein referred to generally as a handle) is utilized for directly controlling in particular the step of feed reversal to close the loop of strip, wire, orother like flexible binding material (herein referred to generally as strip of flexible material) onto the package, the same handle according to one aspect of the invention being used besides for initiating the operation of means for automatically effecting a sequence of other steps.

According to the invention from a further aspect thereof, at least the steps of closing the holding gripper as well as of reversely actuating the feed are effected under direct control of the same handle.

If desired the same handle may be used for controlling the whole operational cycle, including any automatic sequence which may be comprised therein.

Where the handle is used for initiating the operation of means for automatically effecting a sequence of steps, these preferably include at least the operation of the connecting device and of the severing means. Thus the handle may be movable from neutral in one direction for direct control (for example to effect first the said closing of the holding gripper and then, by further movement,

. the said reverse actuation of the feed), and in the other direction at least to initiate the said automatic operation.

An operational step is thus under the direct control of the handle when it is effected individually, whether or not assisted by power. The reverse actuation of the feed is preferably thus directly controlled in order to reduce to a minimum slipping of the frictional engagement with the flexible material and consequent wear, since if this operation were automatic and necessarily of suflicient duration therefore to suit the smallest package to be tied, more or less prolonged slip would be inevitable with all larger 2,730,035 Patented Jan. 10, 19356 packages. Direct control in this instance also results in corresponding saving of time. The closing of the holding gripper also requires to be thus directly controlled where it starts the operational cycle and is separated by directly controlled reverse actuation of the feed from the remainder of the cycle (which may be operated automatically).

Automatic operation involves a sequence of operational steps completed by power without interference once the sequence has been initiated or tripped. Subject to the necessary provision for direct control, the extent of automatic operation is a matter of choice.

The handle is preferably arranged on the near side of the connecting device for movement in or parallel to the binding plane and so that by its outward movement with respect to the said device, i. e. away therefrom, it effects at least the reverse actuation of the feed under direct control and by its inward movement, i. e. towards the said device, effects at least the forward actuation of the feed, these being the movements of the handle in the said plane which are natural to the operations in question, i. e. outwardly for reverse feeding in and inwardly for feeding out the flexible material.

The mechanism may include a shaft under the control of the handle to be thereby shifted longitudinally into alternative operating positions and rocked from neutral in each such position, thus extending the possible direct control by the same handle. Although no gate is necessary for guiding the manipulation of the handle when this simply requires to be moved in opposite directions from neutral, such a gate, e. g. of H-form, is preferably provided where the said manipulation is more complicated, as when the handle is used to control such a shaft.

The mechanism may include a guide around the package or the like for the flexible material which is payed out by the forward actuation of the feed and a stop in the said guide on the far side of the connecting device adapted to permit the free end of the material to pass before training, but engaging with the material to prevent the said end from passing after training. The feed may comprise two constantly and oppositely rotating rollers and a roller frame for frictionally engaging the flexible material alternatively therewith, the movement of the frame required for at least the reverse actuation of the feed being under direct control.

Whether the forward actuation of the feed is operated automatically or under direct control, capacity to slip is not a matter of importance, since in the first case the uniform length of material fed out can be determined to within fine limits and in the second case is determined directly by the operator. The reverse actuation of the feed on the other hand should desirably include means such as a slipping clutch adapted to yield preferentially to slip in the engagement with the flexible material, if undue tensioning of the latter is attempted by injudicious handling of the direct control of the said reverse actuation; so that an upper limit is thereby imposed, without any such slip, on the tension which can thus be applied.

The forward actuation of the feed may conclude the automatic operation, especially when using a guide which requires a uniform length of'fiexible material to be fed out at each operation subject to possible adjustment to suit different sizes of guides which can be alternatively fitted. However, especially Where it is desired to be able to vary the length of material fed out roughly according to the size of an individual package (as for instance when hand training without a guide), the forward actuation also of the feed is preferably under direct control and effected by movement of the handle in the aforementioned opposite direction from neutral.

The holding gripper may comprise a movable jaw in the form of a nozzle through which the flexible material is fed and the cutter maybe adapted to co-operate with this movable jaw in severing the material from the supply.

Preferably the reopening of the holding gripper is included in the automatic operation and to this end the mechanism may inciude latching means adapted to be released by direct control for closing the said gripper and to become reset when the latter is opened.

Since reverse actuation of a feed operating on the flexible material by frictional engagement is not adapted to apply sufficient tension thereon and indeed is preferably prevented from doing so by the limiting means already referred to, the mechanism may include additional means for gripping the flexible material from the supply and drawing it in to tension the looped part onto the package or the like, the actuation of which tensioning means may either be included in the automatic operation or under direct control. In the latter case it is preferably effected by movement of the handle in the first aforementioned direction from neutral. This tensioning means may be actuated at constant throw and may include a ratchet device for maintaining the applied tension whilst permitting'immediate withdrawal of the actuating member, which ratchet device is automatically released after severing of the flexible material to permit return of the tensioning means.

If as preferred, especially when the flexible material is tcnsioned, it is severed before being connected, a second holding'gripper on the far side of the connecting device is required for maintaining any applied tension pending the formation of the connection. This second gripper, whereby the severed free end of the material is left held also projecting into the connecting device for joining to the firstfree end, may be operable mainly toigetherwith the first such gripper.

the material consequent on the reverse actuation of the feed and on the tensioning, if any. Accordingly, the gripper is, to start with, only partly closed to a position in which it permits passage of the material during such reverse actuation and may during the tensioning be subjected to graduated closing into full engagement.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, showing firstly one form of machine in accordance therewith for operating with strip metal or band as the flexible material and in which the extent of automaticity is relatively high and secondly the modifications required in this machine in order to bring it under fuller direct control.

p The relatively fully automatic form of the machine appears in Figs. 1 to 9 of these drawings whereof:

Figure 1 is a general front elevation of the machine with the grippers closed;

Figure 2 is a general side elevation showing the gripper control latch but omitting the other parts before the front plate of the machine; 7

Figure 3 is a plan view, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure l, of the mechanism beneath the level of the supporting table or platform with the parts in neutral position;

h Figure 4 is a vertical section in the binding plane, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3 also with the parts in neutral;

Figure 4A isa side elevation and Figure 48 a section along'the line 412-411 of Figure 4A of the right hand s pp Figure 5 is a similar section to Figure 4 to show the tensioning arm fully out, but omitting parts which are I not of interest in connection with this action;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 6- -6 of Figure 3 and shows the control for the single operation clutch;

Figure 6A is an enlarged view of the clutch taken substantially along the line 6a-6h of Figure 3;

v, Figure 6B is a view taken substantially along the line 6b- -6b of Figure 6A showing the clutch in disengaged position;

Figure 6C is a change position view similar to Figure 6B but showing the clutch in engaged position;

Figure 7 shows the parts before the front plate of the machine to a larger scale than in Figure 1 but in the same positions;

Figures 8A and 8B are respectively front and side detail views to show the manual release of the gripper control latch; and

Figures 9A and 9B are respectively front and side detail views of a similar kind to show the manual reverse control of the strip feed.

In Figures 10 to l2, showing the modifications required for fuller direct control:

Figure 10 is a plan view corresponding to that of Figure 3, of just the modified parts of the mechanism, showing the control shaft in its two alternative longitudinal operative positions.

Figure 11 is a detail view corresponding to that of Figure 9A to show the manual control of the strip feed, both forwardly and reverse; and

Figure 12 is a section corresponding to that of Figure 4, to show manual tensioning and omitting other parts in this plane.

As shown in Figures 1 to 9 the machine comprises the usual supporting table and platform 1 near the front edge of which extends, in the binding plane, a guide way for the strip of flexible binding material. Beneath this table three main vertical plates '2, 3, and 4 for supporting the mechanism are arranged in planes parallel with the binding plane, the front plate 2 just forwardly and the middle plate 3 just rearwardly thereof.

In a central section of this guide way beneath a reaction plate 5 at table level (see Figures 3 and 4) are disposed the first or near side holding gripper 6, the cutter 7, the connecting device tool 8 in register with hole 5a of plate 5 and the second or far side holding gripper 9, the strip being adapted to emerge from the guide way beyond the grippers to pass around the package. A continuation of this guide way to encircle the package thereby may be provided in the form of an arcuate channel section guide 10 along which the band is pushed in training it around the package.

The strip S is adapted to be fed out longitudinally from the near side of the machine under the first gripper 6, across the connecting device 7 and through the second gripper 9, then around guide 10 back through the first gripper and again across the connecting device up to a stop 11 a little short of the second gripper, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Both grippers are held open during this feeding operation, the stop in question consisting of a pivoted cross member adapted to permit the end of the strip to pass on the first occasion but to block it on the second occasion when this cross member rests on the first portion of the strip.

A feature of the first gripper 6 (see Figures 4A and 4B) is the conformation of its lower jaw which is adapted to rotate clockwise about its pivot 6a upwardly against plate 5 so as to close the gap therebetween and also to serve as a nozzle for the strip from the feed through its longitudinal passage 6b, thus enabling the lower first portion and upper second portion of the strip to be brought very close together at this point and the spacing, longitudinally of the run of the strip between the serrated gripping face 6c of jaw 6 and the connecting device 8, to be correspondingly reduced. The small deflector 12 beneath plate 5 is designed to prevent the end of the strip at its second pass from curling up into the opening 5a. The top of jaw 6 is channelled at 6a as part of the aforementioned guide way for the strip and in order to prevent it from fouling the withdrawal of the bound package from the machine, the frontwall (if of this channel is made resiliently 'depr'essible at its forward end by "pivotrollers 15 and 15a.

ing theplate 6g about pin 6a under control of spring 612. Thelpositiori of platefig when thus depressedis indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4A. l

The cutter blade 7 is adapted to shear the lower portion of the strip Where it emerges from passage 6b, being adapted to coact for this purpose with the end 6a of the jaw. As appears in Figure 3, the pivot 6a is eccentrically mounted to permit adjustment of jaw 6 with respect to blade 7. p

The second gripper 9 is of a one-way eccentric type also adapted to rotate upwardly against plate 5.

The cutter blade 7 j and connecting device 8 shown in Figure 4 are both operatedautomatically by cams on the power control shaft 13, arranged transversely of the binding plane, first the lifting of the blade on lever 7b by cam 7a through the intermediary of cross lever 70 and then the upward movement of the connecting device tool 8 directly from cam 8a, the actuation, i. e. raising and lowering, of both being completed during one revolution of shaft 13. The connecting device may be of any type suitable for joining overlapped portions of strip, as by cutting or deforming them, with or without a surrounding sleeve, in the former case with provision, if desired. for automatically feeding in and severing a continuous strip for making such a sleeve. Thus a feed roller for this purpose may be driven from shaft 13 to feed such in Figure 4. The lower face of the strip S is adapted to .be brought into frictional contact with one or the other of two intergeared. rollers driven so as to be in constant rotation in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows. The first 14 of these rollers is adapted to feed out and the other 15 to feed in. The required pressure on the upper face of the strip to bring one or the other roller into effective operation is exerted by a pair of idler rollers 14a, 15a mounted in a frame 16 symmetrically fixed on shaft 16a by which it can be rocked from a neutral position in which the strip lies between the pairs of rollers uninfluenced thereby, to grip the strip either between rollers 14 and 14a, or alternatively between Roller 14 is provided with side flanges 14b to give it a channelled periphery whereby the v strip is centred for delivery into passage 6b.

Roller- 14 is mounted directly on the main transverse driving shaft 17 of the machine, kept constantly rotating by motor 17a (Figure 2) through belt drive 17b around pulley 170 on the near end of the shaft. Roller 15 is driven from shaft 17 through gearing 14c, 15c and an adjustable clutch 15b to enable the roller to slip when the loop of the strip has been closed on to'the package. Similar provision of a slipping clutch may be made in connection with roller 14 if desired.

The tensioning device (Figures 4 and 5) comprises a gripper 18 mounted to the near side of the feed roller assembly on a pair of arms 18a adapted to be swung back in the binding plane about bottom pivots, by push rod 18b pivoted at 18c to the top of the shorter lever 18b which is disposed between arms 18a and pivoted to them at its lower end, somewhat above their own pivots. The thrust of rod 18b is opposed by tension spring 18a, its throw being constant to cover the whole required range of possible movement of gripper 18. For the purpose of adjusting the stroke of the gripper and consequently the applied tension) within this range, a variable compression, spring 18 (with control knob 18g) is provided :between lever 18d and the arms 18a, the thrust being iransmitted through this spring to the desired extent for .moving the parts from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown for example in Figure 5. The gripper 18 is normally held open by abutment against stop 18h, as shown in Figure 4, and closes automatically as it moves away therefrom.

The tension is maintained by return release ratchet 19 associated with the tensioning means, until at or near the end of the operating cycle, since it is preferable for the strip to be severed whilst ,under tension. This ratchet is on a lever 19a pivoted at 1% and urged into engagement with a cross stirrup between arms 18a under the influence of spring 190. This arrangement has the advantage that rod 18b can be withdrawn immediately by spring 1Se to relieve any compression on spring 18 before the arms 18a themselves are released by the ratchet to return under the residual tension of spring 18c. A buffer 20 may be provided to cushion yet further the return of the arms thus already softened.

The fully automatic part of the operation of the machine is effected or controlled from the main transverse power control shaft 21 which is driven from shaft 17 through the clutch 22 to rotate once during each operating cycle, see Figs. 3 and 6. The transmission from shaft 17 is by way of worm shaft 23 through bevel gears 17d and 23a, the worm 23b on shaft 23 being in mesh with the rotatable worm wheel clutch member 22a. Driving engagement between this member and drum member 22b fixed on shaft 21 is through a pivoted dog 22c (Figures 6 through 6C) on drum 22b and urged outwardly by spring 22 so as to be engageable, when released, with any of the slots 22d of member 22a. The clutch is controlled through .the member 24 pivotally mounted about a vertical axis 24a. Wing 24b of this control member normally acts (as shown in Figures 3 and 6) to hold dog 22c disengaged through its camming edge 24c above which edge the projection 24d serves as a stop to positively prevent rotation of drum 2212. By rotating member 24 until head part 24:: thereof becomes engaged and held by bellcrank 25, dog 220 is permitted to engage the clutch. This beil-crank, which is pivoted at 25a, comprises an upper limb 25b and a tail part 250. Tension spring 25d between this tail part and themember 24 serves not only to urge limb 25b upwardly into engagement with part 242 when turning of member 24 makes this possible, but also urges member 24 itself towards its normal clutch disengaging position against stop 24 Just before the engaged clutch completes its single revolution, projection 22a of member 22b engages tail 25c and thereby releases member 24 into the path of dog 22c which is thereby withdrawn gradually as it rides up edge 24c and fully just before it reaches projection 24d.

Shaft 21 is drivably connected with the subsidiary power control shaft 13 of the connecting and severing mechanism by chain 21b around sprocket wheels 21a, 13a on the respective shafts, through a simple dog clutch 1312 the engagement and disengagement of which is controlled by lever 136 from cam 13d on shaft 21 to cause shaft 13 to complete a single rotation during that part only of the rotation of shaft 21 when connecting and severing takes place. Alternatively, the rotation of shaft 13 may be effected directly from the main driving shaft 17, but this would subject clutch 13b to continuous operation which the arrangement as shown avoids.

Shaft 21 also carries the following cams (see Figures 4 and 7), the function and operation of which will next be described, viz. holding gripper control cams 6i and 9a and forward feed control cam 16]; disposed before the front plate 2, and cams 181' and 19d for respectively operating the tensioning arms and ratchet tension-maintaining device disposed between plates 2 and 3.

Considering firstly the actuation of the holding grippers (as best shown in Figure 7), the first or near side gripper 6 is actuated from cam 6i through roller 6j on follower arm 6k and cam 61 beneath the gripper jaw (see Figure 4 in which the grippers are shown open). The arm is held positioned to permit reclo'sing of the grippers directly the latch is released.

The actuation of the second or far side gripper 9 is effected mainly in conjunction with that of gripper 6, by means of the thrust rod 9b pivoted to arm 6k and acting on the lever arm'9c of gripper 9 through the lost-motion connection 9d. In contrast to gripper 6 which is either fully on or off, closing of gripper 9 can thus be graduated under the influence of tension spring 9e 0n arm 90, so that at first this spring acts only quite lightly, enabling the strip to be readily drawn back through the gripper 9 during reverse feeding. The influence of spring 9e'is however then substantially reinforced to tighten the hold of the gripper during tensioning, by the action of cam 9a through roller 9] on follower arm 9g to which the spring is anchored. The automatic opening and latch- 1 ing of gripper 9 is effected through rod 911 along with that of gripper 6. It should be observed that when gripper 9 is lightly closed the lost-motion connection 9d is separated sufficiently to permit of the further movement of arm 90 involved in the tightening of the gripper. 9a removes the additional tension on spring 9e a little before the grippers are opened by cam 6i.

The feeding out of the strip is controlled from cam 16b acting through roller 16c on follower arm 16d fixed on the front end of the roller frame pivot shaft 16a which is urged towards the position of the frame in which rollers 14 and 140 are brought into operation by tension spring 162 acting on aim 16d. The high part of cam 16b holds the frame in neutral against the influence of this spring. The length of strip which is fed out whilst the low part of the cam permits the frame to rock to this position, can be adjusted slightly by varying the angular inclination of the arm about shaft 16a by the means shown at 16 but any substantial change requires the substitution of another cam.

Cains 181' and 19d for respectively operating the tensionin'g arms and ratchet tension-maintaining devices appear in Figure '4 and the former also in Figure 5 at the top of its constant throw. Thrust rod 18b is held -with the follower roller 18 at its end in engagement with cam 18i by the pair of guide rollers 18k, and the end of ratchet lever 19a is provided with roller 19e to follow cam 19d. For reasons already stated the cams ar'e'so formed as to permit return -'of rod 1812 before 'the ratchet is lifted to release the arms.

It now remains to describe the manual control of the machine by means of lever handle 26 on the near side of the machine where it is fixed on the main transverse manual control shaft 26a, so that it can be swung in a plane parallel With the binding plane thereby to rock the shaft.

By rocking the shaft outwardly from its neutral position (shown in Figure 8A), tripping of the holding grip- 'per latch 611 is first effected by the raising of catch 260 at the forward end of subsidiary rock shaft 26b (which catch is shown engaged in Figures'8A and 8B, but released in Figure 7), due to the abutment of the arm 26a on shaft 26a against the arm 26e on shaft 26b. Tension spring 26f acts on arm 262 in the opposite rotational sense to arm 26d so that when the handle returns to below 'shaft 26:: is ro'cked outwardly beyond the angu- Cam 3 lar position in which it releases the latch, thereby merely further raising catch 36c idly against the action of spring 26 and without additional effect, this outer'range of the shaft movement being utilized for the controlled rocking of roller frame 16 to bring rollers 15 and 15a into operation (by the means best shown in Figures 9A and 98) consisting of arm 26g engaging through the roller 26h thereon with depending arm 16g fixed to the rear end of pivot shaft 16a of the said frame. The spacing between arms 16;, and 26g must be suflicient to permit the free swinging of arm 16g from neutral (into the position shown in Figure 9A) consequent on the automatic rocking of the frame for feeding out, by cam 16b acting through arm 16d (Figure 7). In the reverse manual rocking of the frame for feeding in, the consequent lost motion up to the neutral position of arm 16g is first taken up by arm 26g during the aforesaid gripper-closing rocking of shaft 26a to trip latch 6n, after which the operative engagement of arm 16g by arm 26g is accompanied by more or less raising of arm 16d idly from cam 16b against spring 16a, besides the idle raising of catch 26c already mentioned.

The opposite rocking of shaft 26a inwardly from neutral serves solely to initiate the operation of the fully automatic part of the mechanism by tripping of control member 24. This is effected by arm 26i fixed on the shaft to engage with block 26 fixed on push rod 26k, against the action of spring 261 (see Figures 3 and 6). The head 26m at the end of rod 26k carries a spring latch 26!: to engage head part 24g of the control member and thereby to rotate the member as required to engage clutch 22. Latch 2611 permits free return of the rod 26k and associated parts with shaft 26a.

In Figures 10 to 12, the same references are used as far as possible and only modified parts are shown. Generally speaking, the differences are: firstly, the transfer from automatic (by the power control shaft 21.) to manual control of the feeding out of the strip, with elimination of cam 16b and arm 16d shown in Figure 7; secondly, in the substitution of a cam on the manual eontrol shaft in place of cam 18: of Figure 5 for thrusting back the tensioning arms (the operation of-the return release ratchet 19 remaining automatic); and thirdly, in anchoring the closing spring of gripper 9 to the tensioning arm lever 18:! to reinforce the holding action of this gripper during tensioning instead of to the follower arm 9g, which can thus be eliminated together with cam 9a, this alteration being rendered necessary by the fact that tensioning takes place before rotation of shaft 21 commences.

In order to permit of the two additional operations of the manual control shaft 260 on which the handle 26 is in this case mounted, the shaft is made longitudinally shiftable from the position in which it is shown, together with its actuating members, in full lines in Figure '10 to that as shown in dotted lines, the resulting more complicated manipulation of the handle being guided by the H-form gate 26p.

The manual control of roller frame 16 for feeding strip out as well as in, consists of the fork 16i (see Figure 11) in place of arm 16g of Figure 9A cooperating with an appropriately modified arm 26q (carrying the roller 26h) fixed on shaft 260, and with spring 16k for holding the frame normally in neutral position.

The manual actuation of the tensioning arms is by means of cam 26r directly engaging roller 18l (in place of pivot 18c of Figures 4 and 5) at the top of lever 18d. Driving engagement between this cam and shaft 260 is effected through splines 26s on the latter, such engagement being effected slidably by the longitudinal shifting of the shaft, the resilient catch 26! being provided to hold the cam in proper angular position for such engagement.

The tension spring 911 for reinforcing the holding action of gripper 9 is secured between tension arm lever 1 8d and a supplementary lever arm 91' of the gripper in the same, i. e. the binding plane.

When shaft 260 is in its full line position (see Figure with handle 26 in the forward limb 26w of the gate, it is placed to engage through its arm 26d with the holding gripper latch releasing arm 262 and through its arm 26: with the roller frame fork 151. Outward rocking to the right in Figure 10 therefore effects the same operations as in the first form of the machine i. e., gripper closing and reverse feeding, but straight opposite inward rocking to the left gives controlled feeding out of the strip. Movement of the handle through the gate into limb 26x thereof shifts the shaft longitudinally in a rearward direction to engage splines 26s with the tensioning cam 26r and also to bring arm 261 into position to engage with the block 26j for tripping the clutch control member24. Outward rocking to the right in this limb 26x of the gate serves therefore to tension the strip, for which purpose this limb is left open in this direction to permit the considerable throw of the handle required, whilst straight forward inward rocking to the left in Fig. 10

initiates the automatic sequence as in the first form of the machine.

. I claim: 1. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package and to tension the strip, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop, and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip,

in combination therewith, single handle means directly controlled by the operator movable to one position for at leastmoving said gripping means and operating said reversing means and movable to another position for initiating automatic operation of at least the connecting means and the severing means.

2. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the i type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop, and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, in combination therewith a single handle directly controlled by the operator having a neutral position and movable in at least two directions therefrom, gripper moving means actuated by said handle to .close said gripperupon movement of said handle in one direction from neutral, means actuated by said handle for operating said reverse feed upon further movement of said handle in the first direction, and tripping means actuated by said handle upon movement in a second direction from neutral for initiating automatic operation of at least the connecting means and the severing means.

3. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material ina binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to closethe loop onto the package, means for tensioning the strip, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop,

and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, in combination therewith a single handle directly controlled by the operator selectively movable :from a neutral to any one of a plurality of positions,

, feeding means upon movement to said first position, and

10 means actuated by said handle for operating said feeding means upon movement to a second position.

4. Mechanism in accordance with claim 3 having means actuated by said handle for operating said tensioning means upon movement of said handle to yet another position.

5. Mechanism in accordance with claim 3 having tripping means acuated by said handle upon movement to yet another position for initiating automatic operation of at least the connecting means and the severing means.

6. Mechanism according to claim 3 in. which the feeding and reversing means comprises a pair of constantly and oppositely rotating rollers and a rockable roller frame for frictionally engaging the flexible material alternatively with said rollers, and means controlled by said handle to rock said frame to feed or to reverse said material in accordance with the positioning of said handle.

'7. Mechanism in accordance with claim 2 in which said handle is movable from neutral to any operating position in a plane parallel to the binding plane.

8. Mechanism according to claim 7 in which a gate is provided for guiding said handle in its movement.

9. Mechanism according to claim 7 in which said handle is movable to operating position in directions corresponding to the desired direction of movement of said flexible material.

10. Mechanism in accordance with claim 9 having ratchet means for retaining said tensioning means in material tensioning position, and means for automatically releasing said ratchet after severing of the flexible material.

11. Mechanism according to claim 9 having means actuated by movement of said handle in said second direction for effecting feeding of said flexible material.

12. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for sequentially performing a plurality of binding steps including means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, means for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for tensioning the strip, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop, and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip in combination therewith, means for normally urging said gripping means to gripping position, a latch for releasably retaining the gripping means in non-gripping position, a single handle directly controlled by the operator having a neutral position and movable in at least two directions therefrom, latch releasing means controlled by movement of said handle in one direction from neutral to release said gripping means, and tripping means actuated by said handle upon movement thereof from neutral in a second direction for initiating automaticoperation of at least the connecting and severing means.

13. Mechanism according to claim 12 having means actuated by movement of said handle in said first direction for reversing the operation of said feeding means.

14. Mechanism according to claim 13 having a one-way gripper for gripping the opposite end of said looped material to permit reverse movement only thereof, and means cooperating with the movement of said first named gripping means to gripping position to move said one-Way gripper to gripping position.

15. Mechanism in accordance with claim 13 including timing means for automatically opening said first-named gripping means, means cooperating with said gripping means for moving said one-way gripper to open position, and means for reengaging said latch with said first-named gripping means to retain it and said one-way gripper in open position.

16. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article tobe bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop, and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle selectively movable to any one of a plurality of positions, gripper moving means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof to close said gripper upon movement of said handle to one position, means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to a second position, and means actuated by said handle for operating said feeding means upon movement of said handle to a third position.

17. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop, and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle movable to any one of a plurality of positions, gripper moving means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof to close said gripper upon movement of said handle to one position, means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to another position, and tripping means actuated by said handle upon movement to yet another position for initiating automatic operation of at least the connecting means and the severing means.

, 18. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle selectively movable to any one of a plurality of positions, gripper moving means actuated by said handle upon movement thereof to one position, and means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to another position.

19. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of thetype having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle selectively movable to any one of a plurality of positions, means actuated by said handle under direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to one position, and tripping means actuated by said handle upon movement to another position for initiatingautomatic operation of at least the connecting and severing means. I

20. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle movable to any one of a plurality of positions, means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to one position, and means actuated by said handle for operating another of said previously named means upon move ment of said handle to a second position.

21. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing thelooped part of the material from the strip, a single handle movable to any one of a plurality of positions, means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle'to one position, and means actuated by said handle for operating said feeding means upon movement of said handle to a second position.

22. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop aroundthe article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle movable to any one of a plurality of positions, means actuated by said handle underrthe direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to one position, and means actuated by said handle for initiating a sequence of automatic operation of at least two other of said previously named means upon movement of said handle to a second position.

23. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a

single handle'movable to any one of a plurality of positions,'means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to one position, and means actuated by said handle for initiating a sequence ofautomatic operation of at least two other of said previously named means, including operation of said feeding means as a final step, upon movement of said handle to a second position. 7

24. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle movable to anyone of a plurality of positions, means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to one position, and means actuated by sand handle for operating all the other said previously named means upon movement of said handle to at least two other positions.

25. Mechanism for binding packages or the like of the type having means for feeding a strip of flexible material in a binding plane to form a loop around the article to be bound, a holding gripper movable for gripping the strip adjacent the free end thereof, means for reversing the operation of the feeding means to close the loop onto the package, means for connecting the parts of the strip defining the ends of the loop and means for severing the looped part of the material from the strip, a single handle movable to any one of a plurality of positions, means actuated by said handle under the direct control thereof for reversing said feeding means upon movement of said handle to one position, and means actuated by said handle for operating all the other said previously named means upon movement of said handle to at least two other positions, including initiation of a References Cited in the file of this patent sequence of automatic operation of at least two of the 10 2,597,675

said other means upon movement of said handle to one of said other positions.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Bunn Oct. 17, 1916 Harvey Oct. 25, 1938 Wright Mar. 26, 1940 Harvey et a1. Sept. 17, 1940 Workman Oct. 22, 1946 Chamberlain Mar. 23, 1948 Sackett May 20, 1952 

